Kōwhai News Term 1 Week 5

 Kia ora whānau, 

We have been a busy hub this week, starting into our new inquiry unit - exploring Canterbury historical life and how it has changed over time. Over the next few weeks the students will learn about the first waka to come to Aotearoa, changes in technology, fashion, school, animals, plants, housing and transport in Canterbury
. We will also be visiting Ferrymead for a day in Week 8. A notice about this will come out next week. 

We now have our library days set in stone for this term and they are as follows:

Nick and Rowe's homegroup - Monday

Laura's home group - Tuesday

Quynh and Meagan's homegroup - Wednesday. 

Please help your child by reminding them they need to bring their library folder with their books to return on their day of the week. 

During our Team Hui this week we had a discussion with the tamariki about our hub toilets, and making sure we keep them nice and tidy. We have had some instances of urine on the floor and around the toilet. Please help us by having a chat to your child about their toilet etiquette at school. Thank you! 

We have been busy in Discovery this week: 












We have been asked to pass on the following notice from the Southern Districts Cricket Club about Year 3/4 Girls Cricket. Please see the information below. 

Have a great weekend! 

The Kōwhai Team - Laura, Meagan, Rowe, Quynh and Nick 


Ferrymead Heritage Park – Final Reminders

 Kia ora whanau, 

We are all very excited to be going on our trip tomorrow! 

There has been a lot of organization going on behind the scenes by all our teacher to help make sure we have a safe and happy trip. 

Please take a look at this Social Story with your child BEFORE tomorrow. It has been shared with them at school already, however it would be helpful for them to take another look! 

Ferrymead Trip Social Story

ALSO: 

Please apply sunblock before sending your child to school tomorrow. 

Everyone needs to have a drink bottle filled with water. 

Parent helpers: meet Lisa in our theatre at 8.30am. 

Thanks everyone! 


Team Kahikatea Term 1 Week 2

 Kia ora whanau, 

Thank you for coming to our Learning Conferences! It has been wonderful getting to know your child/children and hearing all about their strengths and learning goals for this year. 

Communication 

There are many ways to contact your child's homegroup teacher and we encourage whanau to be proactive if there is any information you need to share with us. In the first instance,  please your child's homegroup teacher.  Alternately, each morning one of our teachers will be at the hub door to meet and greet your child/children and they can answer any questions you may have or pass a message to the homegroup teacher.  Teachers are in hubs from 8.30am and after school until 3.15pm should you need to meet face to face or  you can email your homegroups teacher to schedule a meeting time . 

Supporting your Child's Independence

We are thrilled to see so many of you are supporting your child/children's independence by dropping them off and letting them come inside by themselves in the morning to complete their daily routines. 

At the end of the day it would be helpful if you and your child had an agreed "meeting place". This could be the library steps, the hall steps, the flag pole or some other agreed spot or area outside the hub.  Thank you! This will help enormously with the congestion at the end of the day.

Can you help us on Fridays, 2-3pm?

Are there 1-2 parents available to help on Friday afternoons 2-3pm? We would love to take groups of children down to explore the ponds, but need additional adults to do so safely. Please email Charlotte at charlotte.verity@beckenham.school.nz if you are able to help. 

Here are some pictures of our gorgeous tamariki engaged in Learning Through Play: 




















































Ferrymead Trip Wednesday 24th February

Kahikatea Trip to Ferrymead

Kia ora whānau,

We are very excited about our upcoming trip to Ferrymead Heritage Park on Wednesday the 24th February. This trip links strongly to our theme of ‘Change’ and a main focus will be on heritage toys/ games, and their development over time. Our tamariki will be divided into five groups and participate in the following workshops:

  • Heritage games
  • Homemade toys
  • Science of toys
  • Maori toys and games

We will also go on the tram, have a tour around the village and dress up in old fashioned clothing. On the day of the trip, your child/children will need to:

  • Be at school by 8:45am
  • Bring a substantial amount of food in their lunchbox
  • Bring a full drink bottle
  • Have sunblock applied before arriving
  • Ensure their sunhat is at school (if unsure, send a spare)
  • Bring a light waterproof layer if it appears overcast
  • Wear comfortable shoes

Helpers: 

We will need approximately 2 whanau helpers for each group. This will involve helping to oversee small groups of learners, supporting food breaks and joining in with activities. 

For health and safety reasons we are unable to accommodate siblings/preschoolers. We do have some room for whānau who need to come with us on the bus, otherwise there is ample parking at Ferrymead. 

Please make contact with your child’s home group teacher if you are able to help us on the day. 

The cost of this trip is covered by your school donation. 

Ngā mihi nui,

Team Kahikatea

Amber Donovan amber.donovan@beckenham.school.nz

Charlotte Verity charlotte.verity@beckenham.school.nz

Lisa Collier lisa.collier@beckenham.school.nz

Katie McFarlane katie.mcfarlane@beckenham.school.nz


Team Kahikatea: Welcome to Learning Conferences 2021




Kia ora Whānau, Welcome to 2021! 


We are looking forwards to seeing you at our Term 1 Learning Conferences this week. 

We'd love you to please view our introduction video before your conference this week.  

Please bring your child's stationery with you to the conference. You are welcome to wait inside the hub  and your child's homegroup teacher will come to greet you. 

Kind regards 

Katie, Charlotte, Lisa and Amber 

Team Newsletter